As the system's voice echoed, the formula for the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill appeared in Wang Jianqiang's mind.
As expected, the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill was more potent than the regular Azure Spirit Pill, and its production cost was lower.
After some study, Wang Jianqiang took out the spirit herbs and began refining.
Half a day later, the first Perfect Azure Spirit Pill was successfully refined.
With a hint of anticipation on his face, Wang Jianqiang swallowed the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill.
In the next moment, a gentle yet powerful medicinal force erupted within his body.
He immediately held his breath and focused, fully refining the energy.
Then he discovered a problem.
The efficacy of the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill was too strong.
Under the explosion of the massive medicinal force, he could only utilize ten percent of it, with the vast majority dissipating and going to waste.
Aptitude and cultivation method are the two main factors determining refining efficiency.
He couldn't change his aptitude, so to improve refining efficiency, he had to elevate his cultivation method's level.
Thinking of this, he unhesitatingly added the remaining 15 cultivation points to the Spirit-Derivation Technique.
The Spirit-Derivation Technique at the Entry Level instantly advanced to the Hall Entry level.
His utilization rate of the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill's medicinal force immediately increased to thirty percent.
Although most of it was still wasted, Wang Jianqiang didn't feel the slightest regret, quickly focusing his mind and fully refining.
***
Half a day later.
When the last trace of medicinal force was exhausted, Wang Jianqiang's aura suddenly surged to a new level.
"I broke through!"
Wang Jianqiang opened his eyes, revealing a hint of surprise.
The efficacy of the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill was even stronger than he had imagined, likely surpassing that of a typical First-Rank Superior Elixir.
More importantly, the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill contained no pill poison!
He could consume the pills without any worries to break through.
Afterward, he filled a tub with water, washing away the foul impurities expelled from his body during the breakthrough, and began refining more Perfect Azure Spirit Pills.
***
The next day, at dawn.
After a night of refining, two more pills were completed.
Previously, he had exhausted his savings to purchase two pill formulas and spirit herbs, leaving only one Spirit-Gathering Pill for Chen Jiaojiao.
Now, apart from these two Azure Spirit Pills, he was practically penniless.
With the principle of sustainable development in mind, he didn't plan to consume these two pills himself but intended to sell them at the Hall of External Affairs.
***
Hall of External Affairs.
Dong Rou, with a cold expression, leaned against the table as usual.
Wang Jianqiang discreetly took another glance at her.
Dong Rou looked at Wang Jianqiang, a hint of surprise flashing across her face.
A breakthrough?
She then shook her head slightly.
Even with a breakthrough, he was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, still unable to escape the impending lifespan limit.
Her expression returned to indifference.
"Are you buying or selling items?"
Wang Jianqiang took out the two Perfect Azure Spirit Pills he had prepared. "I wish to sell two elixirs, and I ask Elder Dong to take a look."
Azure Spirit Pills?
Dong Rou raised an eyebrow.
To successfully refine Azure Spirit Pills in just two days, Wang Jianqiang must be quite diligent.
However, having just become a First-Rank Intermediate Alchemist, even if he refined Azure Spirit Pills, they were likely of the lowest quality.
With his lifespan limit approaching, his determination in cultivation was truly admirable, though she wasn't sure whether to respect or pity him.
Dong Rou sighed inwardly.
Forget it, I'll give him a bit more Spirit Stones in the settlement later.
"The buyback price for Azure Spirit Pills generally ranges from one hundred fifty to two hundred fifty Spirit Stones, depending on the pill's quality."
As she spoke, she reached out, drawing the two pills into her palm.
"These two Azure Spirit Pills are of decent quality, so I'll give you one hundred eighty Spirit Stones each...
This is... How is this possible?"
Dong Rou initially glanced at the pills casually.
But after that glance, she couldn't look away.
With her cultivation base, she immediately noticed the uniqueness of these two Azure Spirit Pills.
Though they appeared similar to ordinary Azure Spirit Pills, upon closer inspection, they were more refined on the surface.
Further observation revealed that their medicinal force was much stronger than that of ordinary Azure Spirit Pills.
More importantly, she found no pill poison in these two Azure Spirit Pills!
The efficacy was extraordinarily strong, and there was no pill poison!
Could this really be Wang Jianqiang, the universally acknowledged waste among the Outer Sect disciples, the laughingstock in everyone's eyes, who could refine such pills?
Suddenly, excitement appeared on her face.
Pill poison-free Perfect Elixirs!
Isn't this the alchemist she had been searching for?
But the next moment, she calmed down.
He was too weak, and his lifespan limit was approaching...
She glanced at Wang Jianqiang, a hint of desolation flashing in her eyes, then returned to normal. "Pill poison-free Azure Spirit Pills, perfect quality, with efficacy even slightly stronger than typical First-Rank Superior Elixirs.
I'll give you two thousand Spirit Stones each."
Wang Jianqiang's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
The cost of refining the Perfect Azure Spirit Pill was less than a hundred Spirit Stones.
A twentyfold return!
It's faster than making money through illicit means.
He spent three thousand Spirit Stones to purchase a large quantity of spirit herbs in one go, all raw materials for refining the Perfect Dragon Yang Pill and Perfect Azure Spirit Pill.
After some thought.
He also bought some Spirit-Gathering Pills.
Then he left the Hall of External Affairs.
***
Back at his residence, Wang Jianqiang had just refined a few Perfect Body-Nourishing Pills.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice came from outside the door.
"Uncle Wang, are you there?"
Niu Shouren?
Hearing this voice, Wang Jianqiang was taken aback.
Niu Shouren was Chen Jiaojiao's Dao Companion.
He was very concerned about his reputation, and since forming a Dao companionship with Chen Jiaojiao, his visits were few and far between.
He was afraid of being associated with Wang Jianqiang, the Outer Sect's joke, and being ridiculed.
If it weren't for his "foolishness and wealth," Niu Shouren would have likely severed ties between Chen Jiaojiao and him long ago.
"Why did he suddenly think of visiting me?
And with Chen Jiaojiao too."
A strange expression flashed across Wang Jianqiang's face as he stepped forward to open the door.
Two figures stood outside.
One was a slender, beautiful woman, as alluring as a ripe peach—Chen Jiaojiao.
Beside her was a handsome middle-aged man.
"Shouren, it's been a while. Please come in."
Seeing the handsome middle-aged man, Wang Jianqiang showed a kind smile.
Leading the two into the living room, he exchanged a glance with Chen Jiaojiao, feeling more at ease seeing her usual demeanor.
"Shouren, do you have any business with me?"
After they sat down, Wang Jianqiang spoke first.
Niu Shouren laughed heartily, "Nothing much, just thought it's been too long since I visited you, so I came to catch up."
Wang Jianqiang dismissed this as nonsense, maintaining a kind smile while engaging in "enthusiastic" conversation with Niu Shouren.
After some conversation, Niu Shouren "hesitated repeatedly" and "looked troubled" as he sighed, "Uncle Wang, both Jiaojiao and I have reached the sixth level of Qi Refining. If we can break through to the seventh level within three years, we have a chance at Foundation Establishment.
You are the closest person to Jiaojiao and me, so you must help us."
So that's what it is.
Wang Jianqiang sneered inwardly, showing a troubled expression, "But I've been supporting you and Jiaojiao all these years, and I'm quite tight on resources myself."
"Uncle Wang, you can't say that." Niu Shouren shook his head, "The resources you gave were for Jiaojiao, and if she shared some with me, that's from her, not you.
I've never actively asked for your help, so you must help us this time."
Wang Jianqiang hesitated for a moment, as if making a decision, "Don't worry, Shouren, since you put it that way, I'll help."
Saying this, he gritted his teeth.
"I have two more furnaces of elixirs in my room. If they succeed, along with my savings, I should be able to buy a dozen Azure Spirit Pills.
You two go first, and I'll prepare them for you as soon as possible."
"How can that be?" Niu Shouren feigned concern, "Uncle, you're not young anymore, making you work so hard for us, Jiaojiao and I can't bear it.
How about this, Jiaojiao and I will stay to assist you."
Assist?
More like monitor, right?
Wang Jianqiang cursed inwardly, not showing any change in expression.
"Shouren, you're considerate, but I can manage on his own, no need."
"How can that be? We insist."
"Really, there's no need."
"No, please listen to me."
"I can really manage on my own."
"How about this, Jiaojiao is meticulous and capable, let her stay to help you."
"This... alright then."
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan